Lifelong Learning season concludes with record attendance and registration
Emily Grotta
With the last class, trip and lecture of the season concluded, this season’s LifeLong Learning at PebbleCreek was the most successful in its 11 year history. It was also the year for awards recognizing the program’s strengths as well as several firsts in its history.
LifeLong Learning Co-Chair Dennis DeFrain says the numbers tell the story of the growing popularity of LifeLong Learning’s offerings.
* Premier Lectures: Five of six were sold out and the average attendance was 290 people as compared to 177 the previous year.
* Monday Morning Lectures: Twice this season disappointed residents were turned away from the theater as tickets sold out quickly to the lectures by FBI agents and Mary Lacy, Chief Deputy District Attorney at the time of the JonBenet Ramsey investigation. Average attendance was 206 compared to 155 last year.
* Classes and trips: 391 residents took one or more of the 18 classes offered this year compared to 331 last season, while 155 people went on LifeLong Learning’s trips.
Co-Chair Phyllis Minsuk points to the number of improvements made to the functioning of the organization and the recognition it received as evidence of the continued work of the more than 60 volunteers.
The Cinema Society of PebbleCreek, a joint effort of LifeLong Learning and the Activities Office, was one of the firsts introduced during the 2014-15 season. The program will be offered again next year with the Renaissance Theatre already reserved for six Thursdays from November through April.
Last September a new LifeLong Learning website was unveiled which contained much more information than contained in the printed SCHEDULE and which was continually updated with new information throughout the year.
And in October, when tickets for Premier Lectures and Special Events went on sale, a “will call” feature was implemented, providing those who were still traveling to have equal access to all the programs.
The LifeLong Learning enewsletter, which is distributed every weekend from September through mid-April, more than doubled from 500 subscribers to 1205. That growth as well as the average of more than 50 percent of subscribers reading the emails each week earned LifeLong Learning a 2014 All Star Award from Constant Contact.
And last, but not least, LifeLong Learning at PebbleCreek was recognized by the National Association of Homebuilders as the Best Lifestyle Program in 50 plus Communities.
Now that our season is over the LifeLong Learning team is already planning for next year. Watch for announcements and upcoming programs in the Post and the LLL enewsletter. If you don’t get it you can subscribe by sending an email to [email protected].